Tap dancing heel and toe attachment for shoes



c. cARRARA 2,205,344 TAP DANCING HEEL AND TOE ATTACHMENT FOR SHOES Filed Nov. 28, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 d 2 A a M 3 mi m. I\\\L 6 1 5 I 9 n I 2 1 w b INVENTOR Czrz'ks Car-rd. rai BY v x ATTORNEY c. CARRARA 3 3 TAP DANCING HEEL AND TOE ATTACHMENT FOR SHOES Filed Nov. 28, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 28 I l 10* 31 I 45 49c INVETITOR ATTORNEY Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAP DANCING HEEL AND TOE ATTACHMENT FOR SHOES 9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a tap dancing heel and toe'attachment for shoes.

The invention has for an object the association '5 of a sounding device in conjunction with the tap attachment, adapted to be operated when the shoe strikes the floor to augment the sound of the taps.

Still further the invention proposes to characterize the device by a movably mounted lever projecting from the bottom of the shoe and adapted to be forced inwards when the shoe strikes the fioor and connected to operate the sounding mechanism,

Still further the invention contemplates the provision of a heavy frame and covering plate for the heel of the shoe to strike the floor to produce a loud sound in conjunction with the sounding mechanism previously mentioned.

Still further the invention proposes an arrangement whereby the sounding mechanism may be rendered inoperative, when desired.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features-of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a dancing slipper with a tap dancing heel, andtoe mounted thereon and constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the slipper shown in Fig. 1 turned bottom side up.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the heel portion of Fig. l, with portions broken away to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of alever used in the sounding device.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a certain tubular member and sounding member used in the sounding device.

Fig, 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 'I'I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a dancing slipper provided with a tap dancing heel constructed according to a modification of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 8 but with certain portions broken away to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line IIll of Fig. 9. v

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line IIII of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but illustrating the parts in a difierent position.

The tap dancing heel and toe attachment in accordance, with this invention, is used in combination with a slipper ID or shoe. A metal toe plate I I is mounted on the toe portion of the sole of the slipper or shoe and has a front upwardly projecting flange II extending across the front of the shoe to protect the toe of the shoe. The toe plate II may be of aluminum or other metal. Fastening elements I2 serve to secure it to the sole of the shoe.

The heel construction, in accordance with this invention, includes the regular shoe heel I3 which. is formed with a hollowed out area I4 extended inwards from its bottom face. A hollow tubular member I is set into this hollow I4. A sounding member I6 is mounted across the bottom of the tubular member I5. This tubular member I5 may comprise an annular sheet iron or similar material part. The sounding member I6 comprises a thin sheet of spring steel. It is held upon the bottom of the tubular member I5 by several prongs Iii formed on the bottom edges of the tubular member I5 and bent over the sides of the sounding member I6. A rivet portion I5 projects from the front bottom edge of the tubular member I5 and engages through an opening I! formed in the front of the sounding member I6 and is riveted flat, to assist in holding the sounding member in position on the tubular'member I5. The sounding member I6 is formed witha curved downwardly pressed central area Ifi which is adapted to give out a snapping noise when pressed upwards.

An arm I8 is attached to the sounding member I6 by a rivet I8 The inner end Ifl of the arm I8 extends over a portion of the pressed-out area I6 of the sounding member. This inner end I8 is recessed so as to have a shoulder I8 against which the rear end of a lever I9 engages,as hereinafter more fully described. The outer end of the arm I8 is disposed adjacent the material of the heel I3 and more particularly, within a recess 20 having an upwardly inclined top wall.

The lever I9 has its rear end I9 formed with a cutout 2| which straddles the arm I8 and which rests against the shoulder I8 The lever I9 has an intermediate area I9 which extends downwards. This downward extended area is curved and continues into an area I9 which is relatively parts in fixed positions.

wide and terminates in a pair of forwardly extending spaced prongs I9 These spaced prongs I 9 straddle a prong 23 formed. upon the bottom end of a side plate 24 which is attached to the front side of the heel 13 by several fastening elements 25. The prongs I9 thus hold the forward end of the lever I9 from shifting laterally. The side plate 24 is reinforced and heldby a top plate 25 which is attached by fastening elements 21 to the arch of the slipper or the shoe II). This top plate 26 has a forward projecting lug 26 engaging the top portionv of the side plate 25 to assist in holding the side plate in position.

A cover plate 28 is mounted across the bottom of the heel I3 and is formed with a central opening 29 through which the intermediate area I9 of the lever I9 projects. A heavy material frame 36 is mounted beneath the cover plate 28. A plurality of fastening elements 3I engage through the frame 39 and through the plate 26 and-connect with the heel I3 for firmly holding these The heavy frame 39 is provided with upwardly projecting lug portions 32 at its rear, which engage the sides of the heel I3 to protect the rear of the heel from excessive wear during the tapping operation.

The top wall M of the recess I4 is slightly inclined so that the front end I of the tubular member I5 rest-s against the said top wall while the. rear end I5" is slightly spaced therefrom. This arrangement permits the tubular member I5 to be pressed upwards at its rear.

The operation of the device is as follows:

During the tap-ping operation the curved portion of the lever I9 strikes the floor and is pressed upwards. The lever I9 is pivotally mounted at its front end by the prongs I9 which straddle the finger 23 and which engage against the bottom edge portion of the side plate 24. The heel I3 has an inclined top surface I3= immediately adjacent the top face of the wide portion I9 of the lever I9 which permits the rear end of the lever to pivot upwards. When the lever I9 is pressed upwards it engages the rod I8 which is similarly pressed upwards. The rod I6 pivots about its rear end as a fulcrum because of the inclined top wall 20. Consequently, the sounding member I5 is pressed upwards and flexes and produces a clicking noise.

During the flexing of the sounding member I6 the rear end I5" of the tubular member I5 is free'to move upwards in the space immediately below the top Wall I l When the heel of the slipper or shoe is lifted off the ground the inherent resiliency of the spring steel sounding member I5 flexes itself back to its original position which moves the arm I8 and the lever I9 downwards to their originalpositions. The parts are now in condition to be re-operated to produce another clicking sound. In this manner each striking of the heel against the floor produces the conventional tap sounds which are augmented by the clicking of the sounding device.

In Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive a modified form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form in an arrangement whereby the clicking sound device may be rendered inoperative when desired. In this form of the invention the hollow tubular member I5 is normally held in a downward position by acam. 35. This cam is supported by a rod 36 which extends outwards through the side of the heel I3. At its outer end the rod 36 is provided with a head 31. The e am 35 is also connected with a lever 38 I9 will be pressed upwards.

which at its free end is pivotally connected by a pintle 39 with one end of a bell crank 40.

The bell crank 40 is pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends by a pintle 4|. The bell crank 40 is disposed within a recess 42 formed in 5 the heel I3. The other end of the bell crank I6 is pivotally connected by a pintle 43 with a rod 47 which extends through another portion of the heel I3. This rod 46 is provided with a head 4'! at its outer end. The cover plate 28' has several lugs 48 stamped from the material thereof and extending upwards and engaging against the rear edges of the wide portion I9 of the lever I9 so as to prevent the lever I9 from being displaced during the inoperative condition of the sounding device.

The heel 'I3 is formed with an exceptionally large hollowed out portion I4 to permit the tubular member I5 to pivot upwards. The cam. 35 merelyholds the front edge portion of the tubular member I5. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form and similar parts may be identified by like reference numerals.

The operation of this form of the invention may be readily understood by examining Figs. 9 and 10, and comprehending that the cam 35 is engaging the top front edge of the tubular member I5 to hold the tubular member downwards. When the slipper or shoe is struck against the ground the projecting portion I9 of the lever The lever I9 will pivot about its front end, as previously described, the rear end of the lever I9 which engages the front end of the rod I8 will be moved upwards and the sounding member I6 will be flexed, producing the clicking sound. The device is now operating substantially identical to the preferred form.

However, the wearer may click the heels of the pair of slippers or shoes together, in a manner so as to press inwards the rod 36. This moves the cam 35 to an inoperative position, sidewise, off the top edge of the tubular member I5. Motion of the cam 35 is communicated to project the rod 46 which may subsequently be depressed by striking together the heels of the slippers or shoes, to again press the cam 35 into its original position.

During that period when the cam 35 is off 50 the top edge of the tubular member I5 the clicking device will not operate. When the heel of the slipper or shoe is struck against the ground, the lever I9 will be moved upwards, similarly moving the front end of the arm. I8. However, since the tubular member I5 is now free, the. sounding member I6 will not be flexed. Instead, the tubular member I5 will move upwards to the position indicated by the dot and dash lines I5 in Fig. 9. This condition of the device is illus- .60 trated in full lines in Fig. 12. When the heelis lifted off the floor the tubular member I5 and the lever I9, by-gravity, will fall downwards to their original positions. In the lifted position of the heel, the heels of the shoes or slippersmay be kicked together to move the cam 35 back to its original position to hold the tubularmember I5 lowered. Then the clicking device is in condition to function again.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to'all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: 1

1. In a tap dancing shoe, a. heel having a hollow extended inwards from its bottom face, a hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of said tubular member, an arm attached on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed against the material of said heel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an intermediate area extended downwards and having its other end pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across the bottom of said heel and having an opening through which said intermediatearea of the spring projects, and a heavy frame mounted beneath said cover plate.

2. In a tap dancing shoe, a heel having a hollow extended inwards from its bottom face, a hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of said tubular member, an arm attached on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed against the material of said heel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an intermediate area extended downwards and having its other end pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across the bottom of said heel and having an opening through which said intermediate area of. the spring projects, and a heavy frame mounted beneath said cover plate, the top wall of the hollow in the heel being inclined to support the front end of the tubular member so that the rear end may move upwards during the upward motion 01' said lever.

3. In a tap dancing shoe, a heel having 'a hollow extended inwards from its bottom face, a hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of said tubular member, an arm attached on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed against the material of said heel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an intermediate area extended downwards and having its other end pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across the bottom of said heel arid having an opening through which said intermediate area of the lever projects, and a heavy frame mounted beneath said cover plate, said arm being supported at its rear end only so that it may fulcrum upwards about the rear end as a pivot.

4. In a tap dancing shoe, a heel having a hollow extended inwards from its bottom face, a hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of said tubular member, an arm attached on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed against the material of said heel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an intermediate area extended downwards and having its other end pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across the bottom of said heel and having an opening through which said intermediate area of the lever projects, and a heavy frame mounted beneath said cover plate, said lever being pivotally supported at its front end so that its rear end may move upwards about its front end as a pivot.

5. In a tap dancing shoe, a heel having a hollow extended inwards from its bottom face, a

hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of said tubular member, an arm attached on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed againstthe material of said heel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an-intermediate area extended downwards and having its other end pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across the bottom of said heel and having an opening through which said intermediate area of the lever projects, and a heavy frame mounted beneath said cover plate, said lever being pivotally supported at its front end so that its rear end may move upwards about its front end as a pivot, the front end of said lever being formed with finger portions straddling a prong on aside plate fixedly mounted on the side of said heel.

6. In a .tap dancing shoe, a heel having a hollow extended inwards from its bottom face, a hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of said tubular member, an arm attached on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed against the material of said heel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an intermediate area extended downwards and having its other end pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across 7 the bottom of said heel and having an opening through which said intermediate area of the lever projects, and a heavy frame mounted beneath said cover plate, said lever being pivotally hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of low extended inwards from its bottom face, a i

said tubular member, an arm attached on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed against the material of saidheel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an intermediate area extended downwards and having its other end pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across the bottom of said heel and having an opening through which said intermediate area of the lever projects, a heavy frame mounted beneath said cover plate, and means for releasably holding said sounding member in a normally lowered position and operable to free said sounding member to move upwards.

8. In a tap dancing shoe, a heel having a hollow extended inwards from its bottom face, a

hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of said tubular member, an arm attached on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed against the material of said heel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an intermediate area extended downwards and having its other end pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across the bottom of said heel and having an opening through which said intermediate area of the lever projects, a heavy frame mounted beneath said cover plate, and means for releasably holding said sounding member in a normally lowered position and operable to free said sounding memher to move upwards, including a cam normally engaging the front top edge of the tubular member, and means for moving the cam free from the tubular member.

9. In a tap dancing shoe, a heel having a hollow extended inwards from its bottom face, a hollow tubular member set into said hollow, a sounding member mounted across the bottom of said tubular member, an arm attached'on said sounding member and projecting outwards and disposed against the material of said heel adjacent said hollow, a lever having one end engaging said arm and an intermediate area extended downwards and having its otherend pivotally supported, a cover plate mounted across the;bott omof said heel and having an opening through which said intermediate area of the lever projects, a heavy frame mounted beneath said coverplate, and means for releasably holding said sounding member in a normally lowered position and operableto free said sounding member tomove upwards, including a cam normally engaging the front top edge of the tubular memher, and means for moving the cam free from the tubular member, including a leverage system having a depressible rod at one end for moving the cam and another rod at its other end ex tended when the cam is moved and subsequently depressible to replace the cam to its original position.

CHARLES CARRARA. 

